I’m currently taking Improv 101 at the Improv Asylum in Boston.
And we do an exercise called “Yes, and…”
It’s a three line scene.
Person 1 starts with a line. any line.
Person 2 responds.
Person 1 responds back.
End scene.
But the rule is, person 1 can’t start with a question. And both responses have to start with “yes, and…”
We rarely respond to statements with “yes, and” in real life. If you disagree, try answering with “yes, and” to the following statements:
-“Dad I need to borrow your car all weekend for Wild Teen Fest ’15. ”
-“I can NOT believe she would wear something like that to a work event.”
or
-“Hey so I saw your artwork, and I think we should talk.”
Anyway, we were doing the exercise.
I walked up to my partner and said gleefully, “Hayyyy I heard the good newssss!”, putting my hand on my stomach to indicate pregnancy.
Her response?
“Yes, and I ate all 50 hot dogs. I even had a soda too!”
Now remember, I have to say “yes, and..”
I can’t say “No, I mean, you’re pregnant.”
I have to build on what she’s given me.
She totally caught me off guard, and since I had my mind set on pregnancy, I was stuck as to what to say.
What came out was “Yes, and you gotta be careful about that gurg reflex” (I think I was thinking of acid reflex from the soda, and bubbles, which are gurgly? That’s not even a real word?)
The point is, it’s not just about bringing your idea to the scene, or thinking on your feet from your brain only. It’s about picking up on, supporting, and building off of what’s being given to you by your partner. And expecting and rolling with the unexpected. There’s still plenty of opportunity to express your particular style, humor, or personality. It’s just that there’s an added challenge of respecting and incorporating others’ contributions and outside factors.
Startups are like this. There is no lack of great ideas out there. We all frolick to the scene brimming with ’em. But startups are about working in teams. And it’s important to know how to incorporate others’ ideas into a coherent plan and build as you go. You cant just come in with a mold and force everything to fit it. And you don’t always have the best idea in the whole wide world. Be aware of and open to what others are bringing to the table. And use it to build something better than what you could have done alone.
Improv is everywhere! Now get out there and get your “yes, and ” game on!